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Fugakyu Brookline with Manolya, Arda and Petah!

 

 

This past Fall, Petah and I also got to finally meet our lovely friend, Manolya's boyfriend...well, now fiance! Congratulations again you two!  Had dinner with them at Fugakyu in Brookline and for being sushi newbies, we were super duper impressed with how adventurous they both were!

 

 

 

Arda and Manolya :)

 

 

 

Delicious Spicy Tuna with Tempura Flakes...yum yum

 

 

 

Sweet Potato Tempura--it's kind of odd I guess but Sweet Potato/Japanese Yam tempura is the only kind I like, even moreso than Shrimp Tempura sometimes LOL

 

 

 

 

The amazing Sushi/Sashimi Boat at Fugakyu--such a gorgeous (and delicious) display :)

 

 

 

Some more upclose shots, to make you drool...actually, it's making me drool LOL

 

 

 

Arda, Manolya, Me & Petah!

PZ--Kid Robot Black Gold Dunny Hoodie, Burberry Pink Polo Shirt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surprisingly yummy Green Tea Mochi Dessert with Whip Cream--shocked at the $7 or $8 USD price for each one but the yumminess made up for it haha

 

 

Overall, Fugakyu isn't our "go-to" place for Japanese or Sushi in Boston, but we had blast and was glad to have met the guy who makes our friend so happy and smiley :)

Can't wait to come to Turkey for the wedding!!! *hint hint* JKKK heehee

 

Pho 2000 Dorchester

 

We kind of had a late introduction to Pho and Vietnamese Cuisine in general during our time here in Boston.  We had heard about Dorchester being the place for authentic homely Vietnamese cuisine, but for whatever reason, we did not venture there to check out the yummies until last Fall.

I read about Pho 2000 being one of the best in Boston and we went to test the claim out :)

 

 

 

Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls with Pork and Veggies--delicious, came out piping out, nicely crisped but thin skin and loads of flavor in each bite with meat too, sometimes these can be kind of tasteless or the skin is more chewy/old tasting and you can't even tell that there is meat inside...not the case with these yummy ones :)

 

 

 

Some kind of Vietnamese pancake...quite tasty too...though I have to admit that anything with that sweet chili sauce is yummy haha

 

 

 

Vietnamese Garden Rolls--I always LOVE these, so refreshing and the peanut dipping sauce was amazing!

 

 

 

Our Pho, I think we ordered the 1st one on the Pho list at Pho 2000, basically a combination with everything from flank steak to tendon and tripe MMMMMM so good and perfect on cold Boston nights!

 

During my research about Pho 2000, I also saw the "Seven Course Beef" being brought up repeatedly.  Upon further reading, I found out that it's a traditional Vietnamese dish(es) consisting of 7 courses involving beef and special sauces and side dishes...we figured, why not? 

 

This pot came out with some light dipping sauce for the beef, and you're meant to cook the thinly rare slices of Beef in there for a minute or so and then eat it with the other condiments they laid out...well, unfortunately, just about all of us could not handle this sauce.

The best way I could describe it was like eating Apple Vinegar mixed with something quite strong in scent...it was like the moment we sniffed it (or when I did anyways), I was totally turned off by it.

So sad to say, but we basically did not really touch the Seven Course Beef dishes AT ALL =X

 

Thinly Sliced Rare Beef with Raw Onions--Peter ate some of the beef on its own boiled in the hot pot water, but I felt like the beef was also flavored with some weird sauce already and just couldn't even bring myself to eat one bite =X

 

 

One of the Seven Courses involved Beef with Butter in a Hot Sauce Pan like the one above, but yah, after the scent of that "apple vinegar-y" sauce placed at the table, I pretty much lost my appetite.

 

 

 

But we still had an awesome time eating everything else and trekking out to Pho 2000 with Tiffany, Petah, Debbie and Lukas :)

PZ--Kid Robot Hot Pink Dunny Tee

 

I think this may have been the last dish of the Seven Course Beef, some sort of congee, it was good but I think we were all quite happily stuffed from the first half of yumminess at Pho 2000...

 

 

 

Tiffany, Lukas, Debbie and Me :)

Me--Juicy Couture Grey Fur Reversible Hoodie Jacket (and yes, I brought home a snack drink, it was so yummy)

 

 

 

Hot Pot Buffet Boston Chinatown

 

In the dead of Boston winter...you can't beat Hot Pot Buffet in Chinatown!

I mean, just to be clear, it IS an all-you-can-eat Chinese Hot Pot Buffet, which technically means

1) The place is run by Chinese (of course) haha

2) They know you are going to try to get as much as you can for your money's worth (all-you-can-eat ie: it is one flat right whether you eat till you're content or stuff yourself 10 times over to feel good that you ate up all the "priciest" Seafood and Meats and made sure your $17.99 USD was very very well-spent) LOL

3) Service is non-existent

4) The place is probably not passable for health department laws come to think of it, I can only imagine the mess inside the kitchen seeing how disorganized everyone is in the "dining room" areas...and no, it is not due to shortage of staff.  I always love it when you're stretching your arm to the sky for some waitstaff's attention and there's 3 or 4 of them randomly just hanging out, talking, "chilling" and totally not noticing/not caring that you're waving incessantly at them!

5) And there is no order to the chaos as in more than likely, when you ask them for re-orders of certain dishes, sometimes you get them in 5 minutes and sometimes they never come out and you have to track someone else down for it again...OR we've also theorized that they bring out all the veggies and small plate re-orders fast but make you wait a nice long time for the meats and seafood haha

Anyhoooo...it suffices and as long as you are okay with the fact of a huge steamed up room (not very good ventilation), craziness bustling around you, and well, even if the kitchen's dirty--thank goodness everythings being boiled in hot soup for a few minutes, right?

Yap, it's a really good thing Chinese people were not in charge of sashimi haha...

 

 

 

 

Shrimp, Fish Balls, Enoki Mushrooms, Tofu and Fish Cake

 

 

Various red and white meats like different styles of Beef and Pork and Chicken :)

 

 

 

 

 

Crab legs (a Chinese favorite at buffets--check it out next time you're in Las Vegas--who are all the people in front of the crab leg platter???? Hmmm...LOL, it's quite cute and *sigh* funny I guess?), Mushrooms, Pumpkin (very good in shabu shabu and hot pots!!)...

 

Yes, you can try different types of broths!!

 

 

 

Philbert and friends getting busy to work "cooking" :)

 

 

 

Dave, Rika and Philbert hanging out :)

 

 

 

Adrian, Me, Maggie, Danny, Philbert, Rika, Dave and Helen :)

 

And yes, we all left super full...and me feeling super "hot" =X

 

 

 

Hei La Moon Dim Sum

 

Went to Hei La Moon (in Chinatown Boston) for dim sum the next day, Sunday, after the USC/Notre Dame football game.  It was really just "penciled" in as all my friends know that if USC loses (I mean, they never lose *ahem ahem* haha) Cory is not to be disturbed and will not come out for a few days =X

 

 

 

Mike, Jeanne, Charles, Ianz and Petah!

And yes, we ordered tons and tons, so much so that we were all super full and ready to "roll out" afterwards :)

 

 

Some of the dim sum selection at our table: Steamed Black Bean Pork Spareribs, Chicken Feet, Lotus Leaf Sticky Rice, "Gai Lan" Chinese Veggies with Oyster Sauce and Char Siu Bao (steamed buns with bbq pork meat)

 

 

 

Oh and after the meal, everyone was so stuffed, they all figured no one would want dessert...well, they thought wrong! LOL

Every one kind of unbelievably watched as I proceeded to order THREE desserts haha...Tapioca Pudding with Watermelon, Steamed Hot Tofu with Ginger Syrup and Grass Jelly with Sweetened Condense Milk...YUM YUM

Okay, I have to say I took like 1 bite out of each one and had to take the rest home hehe

New Jumbo Seafood Dinner with HBS Pals :)

 

Always a Chinese favorite of ours in Boston: New Jumbo Seafood :)

Check it out if you're in Boston, their seafood IS super delicious, especially the shrimp and lobster!!

 

 

 

Jelly Fish appetizer :)

 

 

 

Maggie, Dave and Mike ready to eat!

 

 

 

Pork Hock Thinly Sliced appetizer--with pineapples and sweet & sour sauce

 

 

 

Sauteed Baby Bok Choy with Garlic--a MUST HAVE at every meal!!

 

 

 

Sauteed Peapod Stems--Peter and I did not discover this until the past year, we kept seeing other people order them and finally decided to try them out.  I love them, though if I had to choose between these and Baby Bok Choy, I think I'd have to still choose Baby Bok Choy...it's very close though!

 

 

 

House Special Hot Pot--I always have a soft spot for hot pots at Chinese restaurants since my Dad and I used to always order them...it's a great way to get a good mix of seafood, meats, tofu and veggies, all in one delicious saucy pot!

 

 

 

Jenny, Carl and Maggie--thanks Maggie for dishing out the rice :)

BTW, Jenny has on a super cool lace top and necklace!

 

 

I *think* this may have been a Soft Shell Crab special--they do really good "fried" squid and such at New Jumbo Seafood--it's always seasoned very well as you can see from these pics :)

 

 

 

Coconut Crispy Chicken--I am not sure why "coconut" is part of the name but it's basically the "House Special Chinese Roast/Fried Chicken" at New Jumbo Seafood--maybe they brush the skin with some coconut sauce?  Either way, it's delicious!!!

 

 

 

Honey Walnut Shrimp--it's funny but this is one of the few dishes both my Chinese and non-Chinese friends LOVE every time!

 

 

 

Peking Pork Chops--Peter's favorite dish at New Jumbo Seafood, we ALWAYS have to get this haha

 

 

 

Fried Stuffed Tofu with special soy sauce dip :)

 

 

 

Stir Fried Lobster with Ginger & Scallion--I actually am liking lobster more and more these days...though my favorite is still the ones we had in Hong Kong with the Yee Mein and Cheesy Sauce...so sad cos most Chinese restaurants in the U.S. have no idea what I'm talking about when I ask about this :(

 

 

 

I think this is one of the many times Peter and I got so preoccupied with eating that we forgot completely about taking pics of what we were wearing and all haha...*oops*!! 

Day 6 Last Day in Hong Kong *sniff*

 

 

 

Last day in Hong Kong and nearing the end of our "Asia Summer 2011" trip...so sad...I definitely hope to be back soon (no more waiting 10 years between trips back to Hong Kong hopefully haha)...

 

 

So interesting, seafood in a bottle!!  I wonder what the reasoning is behind doing this...??

 

 

 

 

 

Our last dinner in Hong Kong was at some "Spicy Crab Under the Bridge" type place referred to us by our pal Conor :)  We saw a few restaurant in the area he sent us to, and after surveying the menus outside, we decided to go with this one...they all had loads of seafood selections and looked delicious from the menus, so we figured we really couldn't go wrong with our choice.

 

 

One thing I had been craving and had not found until now, was Lobster with Cheesey Sauce.  I left Hong Kong when I was still quite young, so my memory of food, places, etc is quite spotty at best.  However, one thing I DID remember and still think of quite a bit (being the little fatty that I am I suppose haha), is this Cantonese Lobster dish with a cheesey cream sauce.  I remember when I first had it with my Dad and a friend of ours, I was totally blown away as Chinese cooking does not usually involve much cream or milk-based products...I can only recall coming across/having this dish in the U.S. only a handful of times at most...I even went around Toronto looking for it in their vast number of authentic Hong Kong Chinese restaurants and was not able to find it :(

But alas...this is the famous dish!!!  We had it with Calamari instead, so yeah, Calamari with Cheese Sauce--and it was every bit as delicious as I had remembered or dreamed it up to be in my head :)

 

 

 

Fried Chicken Wings--looks and sounds so simple but was fried and seasoned perfectly!

 

 

 

Seafood Rice Soup--this was super hearty and was really like a stew meal in itself LOL...

 

 

 

Sweet & Sour Pork Chops--no, not like the kind you get at the Chinese places (where no Chinese people are dining at haha)...it's flavored differently and has a taste of honey to it

 

 

 

I forget what this was, but I think it was a delicious Seafood Casserole :)

 

 

 

 

This was taken at a bakery in Hong Kong International Airport, we decided to take some snacks with us on flight back to the U.S....

PZ--Kid Robot Grey Tee

 

So sad to say Good-Bye to Hong Kong, but can't wait to be back again soon!!!

 

 

 

Day 5 in Hong Kong...Macau Macau

 

We took a day trip off to Macau the next day, despite my warning to Peter that it may not be everything he had thought it would be there LOL...the boat ride over was alright, we survived, but I definitely think that we'd do another option next time should we ever go back to Macau =X

 

 

Yummy bubble tea!!!

Me--Roberto Coin Cento Diamond stud earrings, Tiffany & Co. 18K YG Quatrefoil Key with diamonds, Anita Ko 18K YG Pave Diamond Spike bracelet, Cartier Love bracelet in YG and WG, Hermes Pousse Pousse H bracelet in White Epsom leather and gold hardware, Cartier 18K YG Heart with diamond heart ring

 

 

A hearty lunch mish mash of Plantains, Chinese Veggies, Chinese Sausage and Pigs Feet?? LOL

 

 

 

I think this was Sweet & Sour Pork Chops?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's so funny, we thought we would capture the line waiting to get inside the Louis Vuitton shop...who lines up to go to LV??!! LOL  Anyhow, apparently, you are not meant to take pictures--according to the security guard there =X

Me--Mighty Fine Burnout Mickey Tee, Chanel Hidden Sequins Tote, Hermes Pousse Pousse H Bracelet in White Epsom leather and gold hardware, Tiffany & Co. 18K YG Quatrefoil Key with Diamonds, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch

 

 

 

 

 

We are actually still not sure if we ever did go to the Galaxy Hotel in Macau...all the signs there were super confusing LOL =X

 

 

 

This is how I warned Peter he may feel about Macau if we went...sigh...he never listens LOL

PZ--Burberry Vintage Burgundy Polo Shirt, and a grumpy face Petah haha

 

At least we saved the evening with a delicious dinner at Lei Garden, yes, we went back there cos we loved it so much haha...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see here, I was "preoccupied" hehe

Me--Roberto Coin Cento Diamond stud earrings, Penny Preville 18K WG Emerald Diamind pendant necklace, Anita Ko 18K YG Pave Diamond Spike bracelet, Cartier Love bracelet in YG and WG, Hermes Pousse Pousse H bracelet in White Epsom leather and gold hardware, Cartier 18K YG Heart with diamond heart ring, Chanel Hidden Sequins Shopping tote (kind of "hidden" here hehe)

 

Day 4 in Hong Kong...out and about with PZ's Parents

 

 

 

 

Peter's parents came to Hong Kong for a day to meet up with us, so we went off to explore Kowloon and do some shopping :)

 

 

 

I have to say I was very impressed how every few shops is a jewelry store in Hong Kong, and sometimes, you would even see the same brand jewelry stores directly across the street from each other!!!

Here is a nice solid 24kt yellow gold Mickey @ Chow Sang Sang, one of the major jewelry store brands in Hong Kong...I love how Disney and Peanuts characters are so popular in Hong Kong that you can get cute and well made but licensed Mickey or Snoopy jewelry pieces.  Whereas in the U.S., you usually only find animated character jewelry in costume jewelry form or 14kt gold plated at best...

Me--Moschino Red Heart with gold sequins tee, Myne Black Satin Miniskirt, Chanel Hidden Sequins Shopping Tote, Converse Silver Glitter sneakers :)

 

 

 

With Peter's mom buying chinese medicine and herbs :)

Me--Moschino Red Heart with gold sequins tee, Tiffany & Co. 18K YG Quatrefoil Key with diamonds

 

 

Browsing the streets of Kowloon :)

 

 

 

Doing my best to blend in with the Disney characters LOL

Me--Moschino Red Heart with gold sequins tee, Myne Black Satin Miniskirt, Chanel Hidden Sequins Shopping Tote, Converse Silver Glitter sneakers :)

 

After a long day of walking around and shopping, we ended up going to Lei Garden for dinner :)

 

 

Pickled Cucumbers appetizer, very light and refreshing!

 

 

 

Sliced Beef appetizer-I forget which part of the cow this came from, but it was delicious...and nothing too weird like brain or something LOL

 

 

 

Candied Walnuts with sesame :)

 

 

 

I think we got Winter Melon soup, but I don't think I've seen a pot of soup presented like this in the U.S...I remember how we used to have Winter Melon soup in a whole Winter Melon back in the day...ahhh so yummy!

 

 

 

Char Siu--BBQ Pork, nice and fatty and juicy, just the way we like it!

 

 

 

Peking Duck!

 

 

 

Crispy Pork--it's so miniature but fresh with perfectly crisped skin and a nice layer of fat :)

 

 

 

Stir Fried Baby Bok Choy with Garlic--this is always our "go-to" favorite chinese veggie, so simple yet essential.

 

 

 

Steamed Egg Custard with Seafood--it's like the Chinese version of Chawanmushi!

 

 

 

I forget which dessert this was, but I think it may have been Fried Bananas?

 

 

 

 

PZ's parents and us outside Lei Garden Hong Kong :)

PZ--Trovata Magenta Short Sleeve Polo, Penguin Blue Plaid Shorts

Me--Moschino Red Heart with gold sequins tee, Myne Black Satin Miniskirt, Chanel Hidden Sequins Shopping Tote, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch

 

Day 3 in Hong Kong Causeway Bay & Dinner with an old CIS friend :)

 

 

Lunching at Lei Garden Bistro with Petah!

 

 

PZ--Junk Food Tide Charity Red tee

 

 

 

Delicious Roast Suckling Pig--it's just so small and cute!  The crispy skin and fat were perfection :)

 

 

 

 

Wonton Noodle Soup--very soothing!

 

 

 

Me--Splendid 2x1 White Ribbed Tank, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch, Penny Preville 18K WG Emerald Diamond pendant necklace, Tiffany & Co. 18K YG Quatrefoil Diamond Key

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello gorgeous Chanel and Hermes bags!!  How come I don't come across these at all in consignment shops in the U.S.??!!

Me--Splendid 2x1 White Ribbed Tank, Theory Grey Bow Tie Cotton shorts, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was at the 1984 LA Olympics!!! Ofcourse I was a baby and barely knew what was going on, my Dad just told me that I ended up a super tanned baby after that week hehe

 

 

 

 

 

 

My old home and stomping grounds!!

 

 

 

So many memories here...

 

 

 

 

Peter found some amazing fresh fish sung at a Hong Kong department store, he said it was so amazing, so much yummier than pork sung :)

 

 

 

One of the many fresh juice and bubble tea stands around Hong Kong that we frequented :)

Me--Splendid 2x1 White Ribbed Tank, Theory Grey Cotton Bow Tie shorts, Roberto Coin Cento Diamond stud earrings, Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond Mini Hoop earrings, Tiffany & Co. 18K YG Quatrefoil Diamond Key, Penny Preville 18K WG Emerald Diamond necklace

 

 

 

And that was where all the bubble tea went...hehe

Me--Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch, Oliver Peoples Black Gold Rim sunnies

 

Dinner was very special, as I got to meet up with an old CIS (Chinese International School) friend whom I had not seen in many many years!  She was basically my best friend when I was living in Hong Kong and our "mums" would pick us up from school each day and we'd hang out and play at each other's homes...ahhh to be a little kiddo again and turn back the time...

 

 

When we sat down at Ye Shanghai, the hostess quickly brought over a mini chair...for my bag!!  Isn't that genius?!!  How come more restaurants in the U.S. don't do this...I always hate having to find places for my bag since putting it on the floor is not an option for me, I usually end up sharing half my seat with my bag and that usually does not make for a very comfortable meal!

Me--CLU grey cardigan with ivory white silk trim, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch, Chanel 18K WG Diamond Double Star "etoiles" ring

 

 

 

 

Tofu with Pi Dan--yummmmm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peking Duck!!

 

 

 

Pan Fried Sweet & Sour Fish :)

 

 

 

Sesame Ball Dessert Soup--I love chinese desserts!!  I'm always sad with most U.S. Chinese restaurants as they don't offer any real dessert options, just sliced oranges and a fortune cookie LOL

 

 

 

Fried Banana Balls--I can never turn down Fried Bananas :)

 

 

 

 

 

Fred, Vivian, Me and Peter :)

Peter--Hermes Pink Blue White Dress shirt

 

Day 2 in Hong Kong...Mandarin Oriental Afternoon Tea & Hong Kong Jockey Club :)

 

 

 

Peter and I kicked off our 2nd day in Hong Kong with a yummy stop at Tai Ping Koon in Causeway Bay for some "Hong Kong/American cafe" style lunch :)

One of my fondest memories from living in Hong Kong as a child was going to these types of "cafe" places with my parents and getting Borscht soup--something I still love today hehe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chicken Wings are amazing here!!!

 

 

 

Enjoying loads of yummies at Tai Ping Koon; ;)

Me--Ali Ro Silk Floral Dress, Penny Preville 18K WG Diamonds Emerald Diamonds, Roberto Coin Cento Diamond studs, Cartier 18K YG Heart Ring

 

After some browsing around, we were off to the Mandarin Oriental in Central to meet some pals for afternoon tea...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me, Charles, Ianz and Dave :)

 

 

 

 

 

Nice view of Hong Kong :)

 

Then it was off to Crystal Jade in Times Square for dinner with our South Africa pal Conor.

 

 

Spicy Wontons--sooo good!

 

 

 

Hot Beef Noodle Soup :)

 

 

 

Xiao Long Bao--of course we stuffed a few in our mouths before we realized we had to take a pic hehe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Valley Hong Kong Jockey Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me--Ali Ro Floral Silk Dress, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic Watch